SoundCloud is releasing a new fan engagement tool for artists on the platform. Conveniently called Fans, the new product allows artists to send direct messages to their followers and sort their listeners based on different engagement measures including comments, listening behavior, sharing habits, and country. Those who were testing the product used Fans to send links to unreleased tracks to listeners and even set up meet-and-greet events. In a statement, the platform emphasized how “building a fanbase (and being able to activate those fans when you need to) is the only real way to make music your livelihood.” YPulse’s Music report data shows one in five Gen Z say they use SoundCloud to listen to music regularly. (TechCrunch)
